D&D Monster Manual 33: 77579: Goremaw the Devourer (Reaper Bones)

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77579: Goremaw, Great Worm, Reaper Bones, Goremaw the Devourer

I’ve finally completed one of the larger models I’ve ever started painting – Goremaw the Devourer, aka Goremaw, Great Worm, from the third of the Reaper Bones Kickstarter campaigns. I can’t say that it was an especially fun or rewarding experience, but I am satisfied well enough with the finished product, and more satisfied simply because the product is finished. I started on my Goremaw after seeing the fantastic job that fellow blogger, Dave Kay had done on his back in December ’17–January ’18. Originally, I had been going for a black carapace to Goremaw, as I already had a pair of not-Purple Worms from Reaper that were long-finished, and seem(?) to fit the proper D&D scale (I guess, maybe?) better. However, the big, chunky detail on Goremaw’s PVC just didn’t work well with the greys I’d drybrushed on, and then Goremaw then sat around for a couple of years, neglected and shoved to the side…

77579: Goremaw, Great Worm, Reaper Bones, Goremaw the Devourer

Over the couple of years it eventually became one of two, then three of the larger Bones models sitting around, just endlessly taking up space on various desks and table in the house, waiting to be completed and moved the hell out of my way. But uninspiring enough to actually work on. With the advent of me trying to use Dave’s “Tray” concept to get models painted by limiting what I can work on, I decided to add Goremaw to my second tray. Which I’ll start right after I complete the models on the first tray, and then my 2 “Reward” models that I’m going to allow myself to do. The plan was that this would also allow me to contribute Goremaw to Ann’s Miniatures of Magnitude Challenge for May & June.

77579: Goremaw, Great Worm, Reaper Bones, Goremaw the Devourer

Well, except that all these D&D boardgame figures I’ve been painting lately haven’t actually been from the tray. I’ve been allowing them to queue jump because they’ve been (mostly) quick and (mostly) easy to finish, and because we’re playing those games – so it makes sense, right? Painting figures for a game that you’re actively playing being a priority? Of course. But the drawback there is that there’s still 8 figures, 5 terrain pieces and 1 …other on the Tray needing to be completyed (not counting the three that are finished and just photographed alongside Wormy here, but not posted yet because this post is going up first).

So my solution? Well, another exception to The Tray, this time for Ann’s Challenge. After all, what better thing than a painting challenge to motivate us to complete a model that’s just been a right pain in the arse to get done?

77579: Goremaw, Great Worm, Reaper Bones, Goremaw the Devourer, 77006: Great Worm

So over the past couple of days, I’ve added Goremaw to a large plastic base from Reaper, added slate, acrylic putty and sand to build it up, texture it and work the original PVC into it (adding Liquid Greenstuff texture to the smooth PVC rocks integral to Goremaw). And then it was time to pivot the black and yellow into what you see here. Yes, I’ve gone for the “Purple Worm” scheme again, because, well, why not, I guess? At this point it really doesn’t matter to me that much, and painted is much better than taking up space on my desk half painted.

First using Contrast paint to stain the existing greys into purples, and then working from there using traditional purple paints. I finished the model with weathering powders – both worked into the base as well as into the large scales of Goremaw – after all, it’s bursting out of the ground here – not stepping out of the shower!

Anyway, not my favourite model but one I’m satisfied to have completed. Thanks to Dave for getting me started on this big miniature, and both endlessly seeing the annoying thing on my desk next to my PC and even moreso, to Ann for the motivation to finish the thing off.

I’ve got 2 more of the larger Bones models sitting here – both quite close to completion. Both closer in fact, than Goremaw had been – and I got him from Zero to semi-hero in 2 days. I think it might be time to try for the next one, and then, just maybe, the third? How many days left until the end of the month? 😮

30 thoughts on “D&D Monster Manual 33: 77579: Goremaw the Devourer (Reaper Bones)”

  1. That’s one snappy worm there. I’m going to have to get one for my game, the yokels won’t know what to do. I have a couple not purple worms but my paint scheme is a little bit glossier. I’m thinking about rubbing a bit of glue on them and rolling them in dirt to give them that straight out of the ground look. I always look forward to your posts, they’re really inspiring.

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    • Thank you! Weathering powers are essentially ground chalk or pastel-type pigments, so I’d just go with buying some of either (or some actual powders) and mixing it in with matte varnish. 🙂

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      • My “dirt” isn’t actually Earth. It’s sanding dust from different species of wood from my woodturning shop, so the price is hard to beat. I’m always looking for new materials, especially for terrain, so I’ll likely be giving them a try. Thanks for getting back.

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  2. Nice work on Goremaw! Like a lot of Bones this is one I am happy to have painted, the process itself as you say was not especially interesting. However I like the purple Goremaw! Also when you are playing the games it provides motivation to paint over and above any tray considerations.

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    • Yeah. I wish I’d been able to carry it off to my satisfaction with the black-grey, but it just wasn’t working well enough for me, so in the interests of getting it done it was time to Purple.

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  3. Yeah, looks very good to me. I like the color scheme, and it’s actually not that far from black with purple highlights.. The basing and the use of weathering powders is also ace!

    And the size comparison picture is great, the hapless human looks so tiny!

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    • Thanks – in a sense that’s what it is. I went over the black and grey with purple contrast to tint what I’d done so far, and then drybrushed with increasingly light purples. The weathering powsers made a real positive difference I think..

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    • Thanks Dave – yeah it was especially good to get this pair done. I found an old terrain piece out in the shed alongside the third giant bones model, and have now repaired and repainted it for your terrain challenge. Nothing special, but certainly playable again. I’ll have it posted up once I finish posting June’s models.

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    • Yeah, I think giving it a larger base helped, and then adding the rocks to it filled out the space nicely while also fitting in with the “burst out of ground” thing it’s got going there.

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  10. You could create an awesome massive beast with these, Reaper do a mouth-thing like the Sarlak from Return of the Jedi, put one of those in the middle of the table and have 5 or 6 of these in a rough circle 12-18 inches out from the mouth bit.

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  11. Great job, man! I’m really liking the purple tone you ended up with. Don’t think I’ve ever seen him next to the older worms like that. They look so tiny :O

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  15. He reminds me of the scale of the wurms (I can’t remember how they’re spelled in the book) of Dune. Just absolutely massive. I can see this guy being a bit daunting and repetitive to paint so good on you for getting it done. The basing is my favorite part as it makes the Goremaw look like it is actually coming out of the ground.

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  16. Pingback: Miniatures of Magnitude Painting Challenge Round-up | Ann's Immaterium

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